WANA (Dec 11) – On Wednesday evening, Masoud Pezeshkian, during a meeting with Mr. Ömer Bolat, Turkey’s Minister of Trade, stated: “I have consistently emphasized the necessity and importance of strengthening relations among Islamic countries in my cordial discussions with President Erdoğan.”

 

The Iranian President added, “If Islamic countries share their capacities—from trade markets to transit routes and other potential resources—it will undoubtedly benefit the entire Islamic community, strengthen all nations in the Islamic world, and deter the Zionist regime and other powers from committing crimes and interfering in the affairs of Muslims.”

 

Pezeshkian stressed the importance of resolving issues among Islamic countries in a fraternal manner, asserting that “actions, not just words, are needed to strengthen the Islamic world.” He highlighted that the current events in the region demonstrate how the Zionist regime exploits divisions among Islamic countries to launch aggressions against Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, leaving Muslims in devastation. “If we set aside our differences, the Islamic world will become more powerful, and the rest of the world will engage with us based on mutual respect.”

 

The Iranian President also called for establishing a framework for financial interactions with Turkey, inspired by models used with other countries, with the aim of eliminating the U.S. dollar from bilateral trade. “One of our challenges today is the unjust sanctions imposed by the U.S. and Europe to force Iran into compliance. However, we will not bow to their pressure,” he asserted.

Masoud Pezeshkian, in a meeting with Mr. Ömer Bolat, Turkey’s Minister of Trade

He reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to expand relations with Turkey across all fields and stressed the importance of implementing bilateral agreements. “We will continue our cooperation vigorously to discourage those who covet the relationships among Islamic countries.”

 

Turkey’s Minister of Trade, Ömer Bolat, noted the $30 billion trade target between the two nations and affirmed: “We are working diligently to achieve this goal. Turkey seeks to renew the 25-year energy trade agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

 

Bolat also mentioned plans to modernize border gates shared with Iran to facilitate trade and announced efforts to open two additional border crossings. “We are striving to strengthen cross-border trade and markets between the two nations,” he added.

 

The Turkish minister emphasized his country’s eagerness to revive and implement the 2015 preferential trade agreement with Iran. He further highlighted the importance of tourism, stating: “We seek a comprehensive agreement to enhance and simplify travel for Turkish tourists to Iran.”